Trust provided appropriate support to mental health patient

What happened

The occupational therapy department of Mr D's employer at the time referred him to the Trust in 2007 and he was subsequently diagnosed with depression and anxiety. He continued to have regular outpatient appointments under the care of a consultant psychiatrist.

In 2013 Mr D had three outpatient appointments with different psychiatrists. He felt the reports from these appointments were inaccurate and that he should have been considered a vulnerable adult and treated accordingly. In 2014 the Trust referred Mr D for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Mr D complained that he should have received CBT sooner, because he had been an outpatient at the Trust for seven years before this was arranged. He also complained that the reports from three clinical psychiatric appointments did not accurately reflect what was discussed and provided incorrect information about his mental health.

What we found

We did not uphold this complaint. Mr D received appropriate care for his depression and anxiety. At the time CBT services were not readily available at the Trust and the service that was available had an 18–month waiting list. The consultant appropriately concluded that this would not have been beneficial for Mr D because he had a more immediate need to access services. The consultant provided appropriate alternative psychotherapy and support for Mr D.

In relation to the three appointments Mr D complained about, we acknowledged there was a disagreement between Mr D's recollections and what was recorded. The written records did not contain the level of detail Mr D thought should have been included. However, the records were in line with relevant guidance and contained all of the information that would be expected in such a record.

Although Mr D considered there were failings in the service provided by the Trust, the evidence showed he got the care and support appropriate to his needs.